The Joint Citizens and Legislative’s Committee on Children researches issues regarding the children of South Carolina offers policy and legislative recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. They have introduced or endorsed thirty pieces of legislation that were enacted into law on behalf of South Carolina’s children.
Every year the Joint Citizens and Legislative’s Committee on Children does a tour around South Carolina, and this year four Children’s Trust board members spoke at public hearings in Florence, Greenville, and Columbia urging the committee to support the expansion of home visiting funds.
Expanding funding for home visiting means granting more parents access to voluntary services that feature trained professionals working one-on-one with parents to support, mentor, coach and help them get a strong start in life. Families that participate in home visiting programs experience lower rates of infant mortality, lower rates of child abuse and neglect, fewer emergency room visits, lower rates of childhood obesity, and better school readiness for their children.
The board members shared why they support Children’s Trust’s mission statement: strengthening families, organizations and communities to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Erin Pate
Children’s Trust of South Carolina Board Member Erin Pate spoke to the South Carolina Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children on October 5, 2023, at a Florence public hearing during the committee’s annual tour. Pate explained the effectiveness of home visiting programs and how they continue to be an important investment for moms and their babies.
She shared her experience joining a home visitor and new mom during a home session. Pate urged the committee to support steps to expand voluntary home visiting services in South Carolina.
“The rapport that I witnessed was built on a mutual respect and trust – a mentor guiding a mentee,” Pate said. “This relationship, I realized after that visit, is a pivotal ingredient in the program’s success.”
Christopher Hanson
Children’s Trust of South Carolina board member Christopher Hanson testified to the South Carolina Joint Citizens Committee on Children on September 12, 2023, at a Greenville public hearing during the committee’s annual tour.
Hanson, who serves as a partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, testified to the committee on the need to expand voluntary home visiting services in South Carolina and provided information on the effectiveness of home visiting programs and how they continue to be an important investment for moms and their babies.
Dr. Ramkumar Jayagpolan
Children’s Trust of South Carolina board member Dr. Ramkumar Jayagpolan spoke to the South Carolina Joint Citizens Committee on Children on September 7, 2023, at a Columbia public hearing during the committee’s annual tour.
Dr. Jayagpolan, a pediatrician at Carolina Pediatrics, testified to the committee on the need to expand voluntary home visiting services in South Carolina and provided information on the effectiveness of home visiting programs and how they continue to be an important investment for moms and their babies.
Beverly Hamilton
Children’s Trust of South Carolina board vice chair Beverly Hamilton spoke to the South Carolina Joint Citizens Committee on Children on September 7, 2023, at a Columbia public hearing during the committee’s annual tour.
Hamilton, who is recently retired from Molina Healthcare, testified to the committee on the need to expand voluntary home visiting services in South Carolina and provided information on the effectiveness of home visiting programs and how they continue to be an essential investment for moms and their babies.